Alert helps tracks down missing adults

TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) - An Amber Alert is issued when a child goes missing. It informs the public to be on the lookout for a child in danger. A Silver Alert is issued when a high risk or endangered adult is missing. Police can sound the alert to other law enforcement as well as notify the community of the missing person. Area Four Agency Supervisor Jan Woltz said there are 100,000 Hoosiers diagnosed with Alzheimer's or anther form of dementia. Out of those 100,000 60 percent will wander away from home more than one time. She said when it comes to a patient with dementia--time counts.

"If they are not found within 24 hours, half of those 60 percent, will suffer from a serious injury, or die during the time they are gone," Woltz said.

Woltz said a Silver Alert gives, local agencies, and community members a head start in the search for the missing person.

"Under a traditional missing persons case there is lots of times, a time lapse when the police feel they cannot go and look for that person, if that person has dementia and has wandered away from home, obviously that 24 hour period is crucial," she said.

Indiana State Police Sergeant Kim Riley said the Silver Alert is similar to an Amber Alert, but for adults. But unlike the nationwide Amber Alert, the Silver Alert is either statewide or regional. For a statewide Silver Alert a vehicle is involved.

"If we find out that maybe the person to into a car or somehow got into a bus in the area, then you can go ahead and start a state search," Riley said.

The regional alert can begin once a high-risk individual goes missing.

"It will get the word out to the public to let them know, hey, we are looking for this subject it's not a criminal case but the person we are looking for is an endangered adult," Riley said.

To report a missing person or give information on a missing or endangered person, call 1-800-831-8953.